Age rated games

P

-pixie

Well-Known Local
Weaver
I work in a games store and the big release out in a couple of weeks is Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. We have had 200 people pre order this game - its going to be huge.
The major problem I have with this is that the game is going to be handed over to children, the majority of them all about 10, maybe 11. The game is BBFC rated 18. It contains EXTREME scenes of violence akin to what you might expect in an 18 rated movie, yet parents from all walks of life are seemingly ok with ordering the game for their kids. Its part of a series - in the last one "Vice City", you got points for hooking up with ladies of the night, "using" their services and killing them after to get your money back. I actually explained this in blunt terms to one mother and she just smiled at her nine year old and claimed that it was ok, he'd played the game at his mates.
I'm not going to get all hysterical and blame a game for all societys ills - it just really annoys me when parents let their kids play such blatantly unsuitable games. The games are rated for a reason - I can't believe that so many people are fine with letting their children be exposed to such things.
Opinions? Am I being daft? Or not?
 
It's the Governments fault for allowing such games to be on sale. It's against all British morals, and should be stopped immediately.

But who cares about moral codes? Certainly not politicians!
 
No, you are not being daft Pixie. The classifications exist for a reason and I'm appalled by any parent who can listen to your explanation of the content and then still consider it suitable for a 9 year old. If my child had played a game like that at a friend's house I would be having a word with the parents of that friend.

I don't think we can lay all the blame at the Government's door for things like this. If the games were banned they would probably go underground. However, if people didn't buy them there would be no incentive in making thm.
 
I don't think the games need to banned as such, they just need regulating more effectively. I have no problem with an adult picking up GTA and playing it. They have made that choice, and although I may think its a waste of time, its up to them. Theres no laws like with alcohol, that make it illegal for any adult to supply a 16/18 rated game to a child. We have to use our discretion and refuse the sale if we deem it necessary.

What really bugs me, is the parents who are not informed at all on what these games involve. They should be more aware of what their child is being exposed to - at the moment I would say the vast majority have no idea of the content of the games.
 
I think that if you know that someone over 18 is buying the game for a child you should have the law on your side to refuse the sale. A 9 year old is clearly too young to be playing such a game - bring back Sonic the Hedgehog!
 
I totally agree ShortStuff. The problem is that the PEGI ratings on games are voluntary, and are not law. They are guidelines. Unless a game is BBFC classified there isn't much we can do, and if its a parent who is purchasing for their children that overrides any authority we may have had anyway.:(
 
Which brings us back to the subject of irresponsible parents. Who was it said we could do with parenting classes?
 
my son aged 8 asked me for terminator 3 saying that it was ok he had already seen it at his friends house

i asked his mum about it and she said well they were watching it when he stayed there so he watched it with them

i then told her that if her friends let my son watch any more 18 rated films i would introduce them to some 18 rated ass kickings

18 is for adults , thats why porn has 18 rating because its not suitable for kids period especialy 8 year olds

on a side note

if your planning on buying a games consol for you kids buy a ps2 as xbox games are mostly adult orientated and dont have as many kids games to choose from although they are getting more

if you want superior gaming experience and a whole better console and are 15 or over then get the xbox it blows the ps2 away lol
 
Last edited:
Darby said:
It's the Governments fault for allowing such games to be on sale. It's against all British morals, and should be stopped immediately.
Click to expand...

I agree with Pixie on this, and I think your comment, Darby, is a little extreme.

If everything with any violence was banned, we'd all be reduced to watching Bambi!

I have all the GTA games (with the exception of San Andreas, but its on pre-order and I'll get it when its released), but I would never let my children play it until they are old enough.

You visit any GTA site, and its full of 10 year olds, discussing rampages, stunts, best way of killing people, etc, etc.

I for one am quite worried about this sort of thing. I expect the parents of these children also allow them to watch 18 rated movies as well?


On chav's side note:

why bother with a console at all? PC is much more versatile. When your PS2 or XBOX becomes obsolete, and the next great new game is only available on the newer console, you have to fork out another £200+ for a new console, then you have to spend extra to buy the game.

With a computer, you upgrade, which is likely to be a great deal cheaper than buying a console.

Also, you can do online banking, work, etc, etc.

You know it makes sense!
 
Last edited:
To be honest, it isn't the game/movie or whatever medium violence is expressed exept your upbringing. I used to play on GTA when I was 11 or so, and a friend when he was 9. I'm not a violent person and have good morals (not seen him for a few years, but he was too back then).

Now if you are already in to violence I could quite easily see games rated over the age of people being an influence on how to further that way of thinking. But I can also see it being the same for anyone over 18 whos in the same position..
 
At the end of the day, it comes down to the parents. If a game or DVD/video has an age sticker of 18 on it then children should not be viewing it. Especially at such a young age, or else what is the point in having age limits???
 
I think games that are rated should be sold strictly to that age group, and anyone selling games to youngsters should be prosicuted, you can't blame games for all the wrongs of the world, but some games like Doom and Resident evil etc can be very disturbing,one game lets you be the one who shoots JFK! Parents also must keep an eye on what youngsters play,but if people are of age to buy them then it's fine by me!
 
vorlon24 said:
On chav's side note:

why bother with a console at all? PC is much more versatile. When your PS2 or XBOX becomes obsolete, and the next great new game is only available on the newer console, you have to fork out another £200+ for a new console, then you have to spend extra to buy the game.

With a computer, you upgrade, which is likely to be a great deal cheaper than buying a console.

Also, you can do online banking, work, etc, etc.

You know it makes sense!
Click to expand...

i do most my gaming on the pc but unless you are a dedicated gamer like myself upgrading a pc can be more expensive than buying a new console

my next graphics card will be touching £400 my last graphics card cost £240 but like i said i like the best when it comes to my graphics

consols are easier and you dont have to worry about latest drivers, compatability issues and lots of other things that can effect gameplay

personaly i have 2 pcs , 2 xboxs and a game cube but generaly stick to the pc and only use the consols to play head to head against my son at racing games and halo 2

edit:

halo2 may be a 15 game i think but when playing multiplayer theres no bad laguage so its safe
 
Last edited:
chav1 said:
halo2 may be a 15 game i think but when playing multiplayer theres no bad laguage so its safe
Click to expand...

But blowing up everything in sight is ok, right?

That's almost likening it to watching a porn move, but they are wearing condoms so its safe
 
I agree it's very frustrating;I am in the same position as Pixie;I don't sell games but do sell dvds and we have the same argument time and time again....Child brings "Child's Play 3" to the counter clutching a tenner.My staff then say "have you got an adult with you?That is an 18 cert and I would lose my job if I sell it to you." Mum then appears "Oh it's fine,he's seen worse than that!" You then explain to the parent ;who is now at the front of a growing queue that you cannot physically sell the dvd to her charming offspring and she then hands over the money and gives the child the dvd in the bag!!!!

My staff face immediate dismissal and a £3000 fine if they sell an underage child a certified age dvd;and the Trading Standards Office spend their time sending underage kids into our stores trying to catch us out!:mad:
 
lindsay ormerod said:
I agree it's very frustrating;I am in the same position as Pixie;I don't sell games but do sell dvds and we have the same argument time and time again....Child brings "Child's Play 3" to the counter clutching a tenner.My staff then say "have you got an adult with you?That is an 18 cert and I would lose my job if I sell it to you." Mum then appears "Oh it's fine,he's seen worse than that!" You then explain to the parent ;who is now at the front of a growing queue that you cannot physically sell the dvd to her charming offspring and she then hands over the money and gives the child the dvd in the bag!!!!

My staff face immediate dismissal and a £3000 fine if they sell an underage child a certified age dvd;and the Trading Standards Office spend their time sending underage kids into our stores trying to catch us out!:mad:
Click to expand...

Don't you wish that you could report the parents sometimes? Its SO frustrating!

The latest bane of my life is Playboy Mansion. Children as young as EIGHT have talked their parents into buying this. Its a BBFC rated 18, which puts it on the same level as an 18 rated film. Its animated pornography at the end of the day (which is pretty sad).
Although I agree with the industry needing to regulate more, I think that restrictions on games should be a legal rather than a voluntary thing. I also think that anyone trying to buy it for someone who is underage should face the same penalties as someone trying to buy cigs and booze for kids. Parents (in general) are quite happy to buy the latest bloodbath for their kids, but its the shops that get blamed when Trevor MacDonald comes to call.:rolleyes:

Oh - watch out for the next Daily Mail campaign on a game called called "Narc". It involves a game where you take drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin to see what effect it has on your character. And no, I'm not joking.
 
The whole area surrounding Parental Guidance cd's is just as bad;we are told to use our discretion but the Parental Guidance sticker on a product has no legality behind it;you are relying on the customer's parent[who may not be there at the time of purchase...] to be aware that the cd contains swearing;and in some cases very little else!
It's an absolute minefield and in many cases my staff err on the side of being over-cautious because they don't want the fall out when some 7 year old 's dad brings his Green Day album back!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top